You can schedule an appointment with our neurology team by calling 617-207-6143 or by submitting a request through our secure online form. We're here to support you every step of the way.
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood clot or damaged blood vessel disrupts blood flow to the brain, ultimately affecting its function. The brain needs constant blood flow to receive oxygen and nutrients, and a stroke (sometimes called a “brain attack”) can cause severe complications in just a few minutes.
Brain cells begin to die shortly after blood flow is interrupted, resulting in loss of brain function. The resulting symptoms—including impaired movement, speech, memory, emotional control, and essential bodily functions like bowel control—depend on the size and location of the stroke. Small strokes may cause localized problems like weakness in an arm or leg, while larger strokes can cause paralysis, loss of speech, and even death.
The two main types of strokes, called ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes, are defined by what disrupts blood flow to the brain. A third common type of stroke is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke."
In an ischemic stroke, a blood clot or plaque deposit blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain, interrupting blood flow. Depending on the origin of the blockage, ischemic strokes may be classified as:
Thrombotic strokes may occur after one or more TIAs, while embolic strokes often occur without warning.
In a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the surrounding tissues. The pressure from the leaked blood damages the brain cells. Hemorrhagic strokes are divided into types depending on the location of the bleeding:
Intracerebral hemorrhages are usually the result of high pressure and progress rapidly with serious complications. Subarachnoid hemorrhages typically result from an aneurysm (swelling in the wall of an artery), from a congenital disorder called arteriovenous malformation, or from traumatic injuries.
Known as a mini-stroke, a TIA is like an ischemic stroke, but the blockage is temporary—often less than five minutes. Mini strokes may not lead to lasting complications but must be treated to ensure that the blockage doesn't provoke a full stroke later.
Strokes cause lasting damage in a short amount of time, so getting immediate help is crucial. Knowing the early signs of a stroke can help you get treatment before it's too late. If you see the following stroke symptoms in yourself or someone else, seek medical attention immediately:
Strokes don't always present all these symptoms, so even if you only see a few signs of stroke or if your stroke symptoms go away, it's best to seek help. Less common stroke symptoms include:
The signs and symptoms of stroke are mostly the same for the two major types of stroke. However, there can also be slight differences. Those experiencing an ischemic stroke may have numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body and have difficulty with balance, vision, and speaking. A sudden and severe headache is often a key sign of hemorrhagic stroke but doesn't always occur in other types of strokes.
What are the early signs of a stroke? DaMarcus Baymon, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Faulkner Hospital, describes how to quickly identify stroke symptoms using the F.A.S.T. acronym.
A stroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911. Some treatments can help with a stroke in progress, but they aren't home remedies. Get help immediately because treatment is most effective within three hours of the first symptoms.
The FAST technique can help you evaluate early signs of stroke and get help in time. Strokes are life-threatening emergencies that require immediate medical attention. Call 911, make a note of when the symptoms started, and "act FAST" to assess the situation:
A stroke occurs when a blood clot limits the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain or when a blood vessel bursts or leaks. A blood clot can have many causes, including poor diet, smoking, or excessive alcohol use. A blood vessel can burst due to conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, damaging or weakening the arteries and making them more susceptible to rupturing.
Both lifestyle factors and other medical conditions can put you at higher risk for stroke. Risk factors that can be controlled through lifestyle changes or medical treatment include:
Other risk factors for stroke that can't be controlled include:
The effects of a stroke vary widely depending on the part of the brain affected. The most common side effects of a stroke are impairments in speech, reduced motor skills, paralysis on one side of the body, and difficulty communicating. A stroke can also cause behavioral changes, vision problems, and memory loss.
A stroke is a serious medical issue, so it’s much better to prevent a stroke than treat one. Different approaches can reduce your risk of stroke.
Two kinds of medicines—antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants—can reduce your risk of stroke. Please ask your medical providers what is appropriate for your health and stroke prevention.
May lifestyle factors can reduce your risk of stroke. Some of the most effective are:
Surgical options can help treat or prevent a stroke. For example, a surgeon may perform preventative stroke surgery by inserting a tube called a stent in the neck artery to help maintain blood flow by keeping narrow blood vessels open. The stent may have a balloon that can inflate to push plaque against the sides of the artery and reduce blockage.
Emergency surgery for stroke can save your life. Your care team will determine the best surgery for your stroke (also known as cerebrovascular accident, CVA) based on the location and extent of the brain area affected. They may perform an operation to:
Learn more about surgery for stroke and other stroke treatments.
Yes. "Silent strokes" don't present obvious symptoms of stroke but still cause brain damage. Loved ones and acquaintances may notice changes in memory or cognitive abilities as the stroke affects the brain. If you notice these changes in someone, seek medical attention immediately.
A mini stroke is another name for a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This type of stroke lasts only a few minutes but is still serious and may be a precursor to a full ischemic stroke.
Family history is a risk factor for stroke, but strokes aren't hereditary in the way hair color is. Good lifestyle choices can help counteract the increased likelihood of stroke that comes with family history.
Yes. Hemorrhagic strokes are more common in those with high blood pressure, but you can still have a stroke with normal or low blood pressure. Some research suggests that low blood pressure may increase the risk of ischemic strokes and may increase complications of a stroke.
Heart attack and stroke are similar in that they both involve reduced or blocked blood flow to vital organs. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, which is why strokes are sometimes referred to as "brain attacks."
Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. Every year, about 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke and about 87% of those are ischemic strokes.
The risk of stroke increases with age. Because women generally live longer than men, more women experience strokes. While the main symptoms of a stroke in women are the same as in men, women more commonly report these symptoms of a stroke:
Despite the similar name, heat stroke is a very different condition. Heat stroke means that the core body temperature has risen over 104°F. It doesn't involve blocked blood flow to the brain.
Strokes can cause a form of dementia if they provoke enough damage to the brain. They are commonly associated with a kind of cognitive decline called vascular dementia. Not everyone who has a stroke will develop dementia, but strokes increase your likelihood.
You can schedule an appointment with our neurology team by calling 617-207-6143 or by submitting a request through our secure online form. We're here to support you every step of the way.
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